Your most important tip for a first time cruise

[perditax]

Starwind, still reading your post, but I already have a coolibar women's hooded coverup on my Amazon travel shopping list, good to hear an endorsement. I'm so NOT an outdoors person that none of this "rash guard" stuff existed the last time I shopped for swimwear, so I wasn't sure how legit it is.

EDIT: actually it sounds like you may be talking about the same hoodie in your post. Is it the one that's like a shortie coverup but with long sleeves?

I also love my vanicream, we must be shopping twins.

And thank you very much for the detailed response.

 

[JTBE]

I also really agree with sun hats which I got for everyone in my family for our WDW trip.

I also strongly recommend some type of waterproof case or pouch that can protect your money, passports when you go to the beach or excursions such as http://www.amazon.com/SGM-Waterproo...qid=1428102006&sr=8-1&keywords=waterproof+bag (nothing got wet in mine), it's double layered and you can wear it under your clothes, or under tankinis. I swam at CC and Nassau with this waterproof pouch with money, our key cards, and our passports. Some people also tend to like http://www.amazon.com/WITZ-Waterpro...153&sr=8-1&keywords=waterproof+case+for+money.

 

[perditax]

I have the Witz branded one on my Amazon travel list. I really need to research hats I guess.

 

[dizmom6]

I have the Witz branded one on my Amazon travel list. I really need to research hats I guess.

...and ordered. Great suggestion everyone!

 

[perditax]

...and ordered. Great suggestion everyone!

I want to figure out a way to share my Amazon "travel" wish list because I've found quite a few nifty travel-related items, most of which are pretty reasonably priced, and maybe post it on my PTR ... but without it showing my name or making the mods think I'm trying to get people to buy me stuff.

 

[JTBE]

I have the Witz branded one on my Amazon travel list. I really need to research hats I guess.

I bought Sunday afternoon hats: http://www.sundayafternoons.com/kids-play-hat.html for the family. I like these b/c they protect the back of the neck as well. People at WDW and even in the playgrounds near my home have asked me what hats these were-- they are just great at protecting us from the sun. I also bought these at REI, but you can order them on this website for kids. Costco also has some sun hats for adults as well, I saw them recently. I wonder if they are still there.

 

[cschaaf]

In my experience, the only thing it entailed was our server telling us that when we do our surveys, please understand that Disney only considers 'excellent' service to be acceptable in their servers, 'good' is considered to be failure, and so if they are providing less than excellent service to please let them know in advance so that they can fix it, etc. Yes, basically, it's a spiel to get better surveys, but I have definitely experienced the "We're going to ask customers to grade you and tell them that it's an A B C D E F grade, but really it's just A=Pass and everything else, even good =Fail." thing in customer service, and it can really really be terrible for you as a customer service person, so I understand why they do it.

Sounds similar to what we heard on RCL.

We did the MDR on the first night - The server kept asking us OVER and OVER to say that the service was EXCELLENT. If he'd ask how something was and we would say 'That was good', he would say "What can we do to change that to EXCELLENT?"

Ummm, nothing? We ordered food, you brought the exact food we ordered, we ate the food, you took the plates. It was fine. I didn't need more or less conversation, I didn't need you to hover and fill my water, I didn't need entertained, etc...

And he'd say, "If there was nothing to fix, then it MUST have been EXCELLENT!!!"

We never went back to the MDR, we didn't feel like getting lectured on the semantics between 'good' and 'excellent' again.

I hope that doesn't happen on our Disney cruise - at least on RCL, you can go to a buffet dinner to get away from that.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sounds similar to what we heard on RCL.

We did the MDR on the first night - The server kept asking us OVER and OVER to say that the service was EXCELLENT. If he'd ask how something was and we would say 'That was good', he would say "What can we do to change that to EXCELLENT?"

Ummm, nothing? We ordered food, you brought the exact food we ordered, we ate the food, you took the plates. It was fine. I didn't need more or less conversation, I didn't need you to hover and fill my water, I didn't need entertained, etc...

And he'd say, "If there was nothing to fix, then it MUST have been EXCELLENT!!!"

We never went back to the MDR, we didn't feel like getting lectured on the semantics between 'good' and 'excellent' again.

I hope that doesn't happen on our Disney cruise - at least on RCL, you can go to a buffet dinner to get away from that.

My remedy is the first night, when we get that "we want to be excellent" speech, is to say "OK, you've said your "piece", now if I hear it again, it will effect the rating I give". If they dare to start the "excellent" talk again, I remind them - once - that the ratings will be lowered just due to the harping on them. I usually don't have to give the second warning, but did on one cruise. In fact, the guy never did "get the message" and, yes, his ratings reflected it.

 

[perditax]

I'm kind of dreading this. I assume they're being directed by mgmt to say this stuff, but doesn't it just irritate most people? I expect this kind of thing at the mall, not on a cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm kind of dreading this. I assume they're being directed by mgmt to say this stuff, but doesn't it just irritate most people? I expect this kind of thing at the mall, not on a cruise.

Well, there is the "Did you feel pressured to provide only Excellent ratings?" question on the comment card. I think it was added just because many people were feeling that they were being pressured and made comments about it.

And I honestly reply to all questions on the comment card. As well as bringing extra paper to make fuller comments (those 2 little lines at the end of the card just don't do it).

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Comment cards are electronically read hence the dots etc in a optical reader post cruise to get instant feedback, so cruise by cruise you can see consistentcy, extra notes mess that up and are purged in the process, they may it nay not get read, direct feedback to DCL Celebration by contact us is far better.

 

[Dug720]

I'm kind of dreading this. I assume they're being directed by mgmt to say this stuff, but doesn't it just irritate most people? I expect this kind of thing at the mall, not on a cruise.

I've only ever gotten the "big" (not really...I think you're blowing it WAY up in your head) thing the first night and then a tiny bit on the night before comment cards are distributed, but it's NOT A BIG DEAL. Then again, I'm pretty immune to peer pressure, so maybe I just don't get affected by it (I feel the same way about people who swear they're "pestered" or whatever by the street vendors. You walk by and ignore them. Period.)

But the bottom line is they ARE aiming to provide excellent service, and by telling you, that is a reminder that if something isn't excellent, you SHOULD tell them so they can attempt to make things right. The absolute worst thing you could do - not only to yourselves and your cruise experience, but also to the serving team - is NOT tell them about an issue and give them the chance to fix it, but then score them down on the comment card. They are NOT mind readers. But I'm 99% sure that in the case a serving team is marked down, while not ignored, the head server and eventually the servers themselves will be asked if the issue was ever discussed. If the answer is no, while they will go over what they can do differently, any negativity will be tempered by the fact that they had no opportunity to change it and make it right because they weren't aware there was a problem.

 

[NYIceQueen]

I also really agree with sun hats which I got for everyone in my family for our WDW trip.

I also strongly recommend some type of waterproof case or pouch that can protect your money, passports when you go to the beach or excursions such as http://www.amazon.com/SGM-Waterproo...qid=1428102006&sr=8-1&keywords=waterproof+bag (nothing got wet in mine), it's double layered and you can wear it under your clothes, or under tankinis. I swam at CC and Nassau with this waterproof pouch with money, our key cards, and our passports. Some people also tend to like http://www.amazon.com/WITZ-Waterpro...153&sr=8-1&keywords=waterproof+case+for+money.

I like those...possibly in off-topic mode, though, but for us first-timers --- should we carry our passports to port or just make photocopies and carry THOSE, and then leave the passports in our cabins? I keep making my kids watch "dock runners" on youtube and have told them in no uncertain terms I want to be on the ship at least 1-2 hours EARLY, but just in case we should have something on us. I'd worry about the passports being safe the whole time, though. Do folks actually take them or just copies? Thanks!

 

[perditax]

I've only ever gotten the "big" (not really...I think you're blowing it WAY up in your head) thing the first night and then a tiny bit on the night before comment cards are distributed, but it's NOT A BIG DEAL. Then again, I'm pretty immune to peer pressure, so maybe I just don't get affected by it (I feel the same way about people who swear they're "pestered" or whatever by the street vendors. You walk by and ignore them. Period.)

The way I even became aware of the Excellence speech was listening to a Dis Unplugged podcast. I'm not too familiar with all the players, but I think it was Pete talking, and they were on a DCL cruise a few years ago, and it was apparently the first time they were approached about rating their servers. Pete (again, I think it was Pete) sounded completely AGHAST that it was happening, and described it as being extremely awkward and uncomfortable, to the point that they told them point blank that it was awkward and uncomfortable. In other words, I didn't make up the reaction in a vacuum. It actually sounded so icky, and I'd never read about it on the forums at that point, so I assumed it was a one-time thing and that DCL had decided it was a bad idea.

But the bottom line is they ARE aiming to provide excellent service, and by telling you, that is a reminder that if something isn't excellent, you SHOULD tell them so they can attempt to make things right. The absolute worst thing you could do - not only to yourselves and your cruise experience, but also to the serving team - is NOT tell them about an issue and give them the chance to fix it, but then score them down on the comment card. They are NOT mind readers. But I'm 99% sure that in the case a serving team is marked down, while not ignored, the head server and eventually the servers themselves will be asked if the issue was ever discussed. If the answer is no, while they will go over what they can do differently, any negativity will be tempered by the fact that they had no opportunity to change it and make it right because they weren't aware there was a problem.

If I recall correctly, you have a specific perspective based on having a relative working on DCL. (If I'm confusing you with someone else, I apologize.) I have a different perspective, which is that I'm on vacation, and that whole paragraph above is all about making their marketing and customer-satisfaction metrics my problem. I don't like it when they give me the "go online and fill out this poll, please for the love of god" speech at land-based chain restaurants, and I resent that they are obviously being made to do so by higher-ups. Just hand me a card or a survey or whatever, don't make someone guilt me into doing it or to providing a target answer.

"IMHO".

 

[jrabbit]

I like those...possibly in off-topic mode, though, but for us first-timers --- should we carry our passports to port or just make photocopies and carry THOSE, and then leave the passports in our cabins? ... Do folks actually take them or just copies? Thanks!

this is just a rumor -- I've read and/or heard it a couple of times -- and NO First Hand Knowledge ... so grab a couple of grains of salt and off we go ...

If you are not back on the ship when its ready to leave, DCL will go to your room and check your safe for passports - if they are there they will leave them with their shore side agent (listed in the Navigator)​

this is the end of this very much unverified piece of information.

 

[MC0810]

we found the excellent speeches very annoying on our disney magic cruise a few years ago. hoping it wont be that bad when we cruise on the fantasy next month. I will likely nip it in the butt early on if they do it alot and just nicely tell them they dont have to keep telling us about the excellent on the card, If I feel they arent excellent I will tell them right away.

 

[Dug720]

we found the excellent speeches very annoying on our disney magic cruise a few years ago. hoping it wont be that bad when we cruise on the fantasy next month. I will likely nip it in the butt early on if they do it alot and just nicely tell them they dont have to keep telling us about the excellent on the card, If I feel they arent excellent I will tell them right away.

And that is how it should be handled. Give them a chance to make it right.

 

[Dug720]

If I recall correctly, you have a specific perspective based on having a relative working on DCL. (If I'm confusing you with someone else, I apologize.) I have a different perspective, which is that I'm on vacation, and that whole paragraph above is all about making their marketing and customer-satisfaction metrics my problem. I don't like it when they give me the "go online and fill out this poll, please for the love of god" speech at land-based chain restaurants, and I resent that they are obviously being made to do so by higher-ups. Just hand me a card or a survey or whatever, don't make someone guilt me into doing it or to providing a target answer.

"IMHO".

I do have a relative who works for the cruiseline, but she is NOT a server and NOT even "front of the house".

And telling them what the problem is when it happens isn't about their marketing metrics. It is about YOUR satisfaction. If you're not happy, you should give them the opportunity to make it right and not just sit and stew all cruise. As I've said before, I teach, and our administrators are not allowed to re-observe us until AFTER we have received our write-up from a previous observation because it would't be fair to judge us based on new recommendations and "I would like to see..." things we were not aware of. So it's not just a cruise industry thing. It's an any industry thing - to judge someone based on something you want to see corrected but have not communicated the issue in any industry is not fair.

The servers are generally great, but they are not mind readers, and the only way something you're not happy with has a prayer at improving is if you use your voice and talk with them about it.

 

[C6PT7]

Apart from all of the great advice above, be aware that not everything may go to plan on your part or DCL's part and be cool with it changing.
Bad weather can effect the ships ability to dock so ports occasionally are missed and whilst the weather might not seem so bad to you, the Captain knows what the undercurrents in the water and the wind are doing to their ship.
As disappointing as it is, DO NOT go into a meltdown and scream and shout at the CM's! It's part of cruising and you just have to accept it. Also there is no refund (port taxes aside) for missing a port.

You will see ship workers doing maintenance all around the ship. It's a 24/7/365 open floating hotel and sometimes they need to close off an area for maintenance. They will be as quick as possible, but sometimes things get shut down or break down.

Be polite and respectful to everyone, and the ship. Although we have paid a lot to cruise on the ship, the ship is their home!

Remember if ship happen's and you get given a lemon, make some great lemonade with it!

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

What time are you able to get into your staterooms on day1?